Finding the Right Home: Independent Rehoming for Pets
Because every pet deserves a soft place to land, even if it’s not with you.
Life happens. Maybe it’s a job loss, a medical emergency, or a move you didn’t plan. Sometimes those changes make it impossible to care for a beloved pet, and that’s heartbreaking. But it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Independent rehoming gives pet guardians the opportunity to help their pets find loving new homes directly, and thanks to tools like Home To Home®, it’s more accessible and secure than ever.
💡 What is Independent Rehoming?
Independent rehoming allows current pet guardians to connect with potential new families directly, keeping pets out of shelters and easing the transition for everyone involved. You know your pet best, which puts you in the best position to find the right match.
While not every situation allows for rehoming outside the shelter system, when it’s possible, it can mean less stress for the pet, fewer shelter intakes, and more positive outcomes overall.
🏡 Using Home To Home®
Richmond Animal League now uses Home To Home® for courtesy listings on our website. This free, nonprofit platform allows pet guardians to create a profile for their dog or cat, connect directly with potential adopters, and rehome their pet without having to surrender them to a shelter.
Why we use Home To Home®:
It’s completely free to use
No rehoming fees are allowed, keeping the focus on finding the right home rather than turning a profit
Listings are moderated and public-facing, which increases visibility and trust
It offers a short-term foster search option to help people find temporary care during life disruptions like hospital stays, housing transitions, or domestic violence situations
To get started or learn more, visit ral.org/rehome.
⏳ Just Need a Little Time? Try Short-Term Foster Search
Sometimes life gets hard, but not forever. Whether you’re facing a hospital stay, housing insecurity, or a major life transition, you might just need a safe place for your pet to stay while you get back on your feet.
Through Home To Home®, pet guardians can request help finding a short-term foster, someone in the community willing to care for their pet temporarily so they don’t have to say goodbye forever.
🛠️ Other Independent Rehoming Tools
While Home To Home® is a great option, there are other reputable tools for independent rehoming:
Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet
A national service with built-in exposure through the Adopt-a-Pet network.Richmond SPCA’s Rehoming Board
A local resource for pet guardians and adopters seeking direct placement options in Central Virginia.
Each platform has different guidelines, so it’s a good idea to review them and choose the one that fits your situation best.
🧡 Rehoming Is Rescue, Too
Richmond Animal League was founded on the belief that every pet deserves to be safe and loved. That includes pets we never meet, pets whose families use independent tools to find new homes without ever entering a shelter. Choosing to rehome independently helps keep shelter space available for pets with no other options.
Visit ral.org/rehome to get started.
